Get Outside
Put your feet on the street, grab a bike, swing a club or take a hike! Here are a few events designed to keep the Palmetto State active and healthy!
Palmetto Trail Challenge
February 1 - May 15, 2012: The Foundation's theme for the 2010 year is get outdoors and get active! It's starting off the New Year with a physical challenge everyone can participate in. For 15 weeks, teams comprised of two members will track how many miles they walk or ride a bike. Miles can be accrued by walking or riding outdoors or inside on stationary equipment. Each week miles will be charted on a map of the Palmetto Trail through the PCF Web site. How far can your team make it in 15 weeks? Grab a partner and get registered to find out.
At the end of the 15 week challenge all participants will have the opportunity to take part in a guided hike on the Palmetto Trail. Prizes will be awarded and pride for team accomplishments will abound. Everyone is encouraged to join the challenge regardless of age or ability. The fee to participate is a $1 dedication dollar. You must be registered to participate. Register by logging on to www.palmettoconservation.org or call 803-771-0870.
Cupid's Chase 5K
Largest, national charity 5K in the United States benefiting people with disabilities
February 11: Run with your heart this Valentine's Day by running the Cupid's Chase 5K Run in Columbia! Great prizes, giveaways and the best way to make a love connection in the new year! Walkers and on-site registration welcome! Cupid's Chase is a national 5K Run that takes place in 25 cities - including Columbia - throughout 10 states, on the same day and at the same time. Registration starts at 8 am in Finlay Park, 930 Laurel Street. Race starts at 10 am. Register online at active.com.
Hilton Head Island Half Marathon 10K & 5K
February 11: The 2012 Hilton Head Island Half Marathon is very scenic and features: Jarvis Creek Park and Broad Creek. It's fast and flat with a slight incline at the bridge over the Broad Creek, which is about a 1 mile span and is done twice. 10k and 5K distances are also available. 8:00 a.m. bearfootsports.com/Hilton_Head_Half_marathon.htm
Go Red Heart 5K Run & Walk
February 11: The certified 5K course starts and finishes near the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina Pavilion at 20 Patriot's Point Blvd. in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Entry fees are 425 before January 17, 2012 and $35 before February 11, 2012. On-line registration for this event closes on 02-08-2012 at 9:00 am. On-site registration may be available during normal packet pick up hours. TrySports in-store credit cash awards will be given to top 3 overall M/F and top 3 M/F winners in each age group. Register on active.com.
Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon & Dasani Half-Marathon
February 18, 2012: Join thousands of runners competing in the BI-LO Myrtle Beach Marathon, one of the state's premiere long-distance running events. Distances include a full marathon, a half marathon, 5K and kids' fun run. This year's event offers a full weekend of pre- and post-race activities. mbmarathon.com
Famously Hot Marathon & Half-Marathon
March 10, 2012: The Columbia region's beautiful southern scenery serves as the backdrop for the 2012 Columbia Famously Hot Marathon. Famous for reaching tip top temperatures during the late summer months, springtime in Columbia proves to be the perfect, moderate temperature for runners to enjoy this all paved, road race. The course meanders through downtown Columbia, including The Vista, Five Points and the USC campus, then out to Lake Katherine. The event includes a full marathon, half marathon, 10K and kid's marathon. For details or to register, visit columbiascmarathon.com
Cooper River Bridge Run 2012
March 31: The Cooper River Bridge 10K Run provides a world-class 10-K foot race. Starting in scenic Mt. Pleasant the 10K Run and Walk features the brand new Arthur Ravenel Bridge over the Cooper River and finishes with a flat section through historic Charleston. The event will be capped at 43,000 this year! 8:00 AM start. bridgerun.com
Providence Heart & Sole Women's 5-Miler
April 28: One of South Carolina's only female road race offers a 5-mile run, a 5-mile walk and a 3-mile walk to create greater awareness of women and heart disease. This unique, women's only event pays tribute to the powerful role women play in the health of their families and friends. HeartAndSoleRun.com
SC Tour de Cure
May 5, 2012: Join fellow cyclists for the ride of your life at the 2012 SC Tour de Cure event! The ride will start and finish at Little Mountain Reunion Park in Little Mountain, SC. The SC Tour De Cure promises to be even more fun and challenging, designed for both the novice and avid cyclists. The route will travel the beautiful back roads of the Dutch Fork area, Sumter National Forest, Lake Monticello and many other wonderful small towns which offers a terrian with rolling hills and beautiful scenery! Whether you're an avid or novice cyclist, there's a ride for you! sctourdecure.com
Divas Half Marathon in North Myrtle Beach
May 20: The Divas Half Marathon Series is the most fun and glam women's half marathon series in the nation. This series is all about girl power. Get glam at one of our races while enjoying a great run in some of the country's best vacation destinations including North Myrtle Beach. 7:00 a.m. start. runlikeadiva.com
Cycling Clubs Around the State
Aiken - Aiken Bicycle Club: The Aiken Bicycle Club has been an active bicycle club for over 25 years. Membership in the Aiken Bicycle Club is open to everyone, although children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible adult. aikenbicycleclub.org
Charleston - Coastal Cyclists: The Coastal Cyclists are a recreational bicycle club established in Charleston in 1972. We host a variety of weekly rides and promote cycling education, safety and advocacy in our community. coastalcyclists.org
Columbia - Breakaway Bettys: The Breakaway Bettys Women's Cycling Club aims to promote women's road, trail, and recreational cycling in the Columbia area by fostering a supportive, encouraging environment welcoming women cyclists of all skill levels. breakawaybettys.com
Florence - Pedal Pack of the Pee Dee: The Pedal Pack of the Pee Dee is an all volunteer organization who's goal it is to promote safe and fun cycling in the greater Pee Dee area. pedalpack.org/Home.htm
Hilton Head - Kickin' Asphalt Bicycle Club: A non-profit bicycle touring club open to cycling enthusiasts in and around Southern Beaufort County. The group was founded in 2006 and now have more than 100 members. kickinasphalt.info/
Rock Hill - Rock Hill Bicycle Club: Located in the Old English Section of South Carolina, the Rock Hill Bicycle Club (RHBC) represents a collection of recreational riders, racers and mountain bikers. As of 2005, the club has been in existence for over 25 years, with a membership of more than 100 riders. rockhillbicycleclub.com
Spartanburg - Freewheelers of Spartanburg: Formed in 1973, the Freewheelers of Spartanburg, Inc., is a non-profit community service organization, the purpose of which is to provide education and promotion of bicycle safety and a forum for amateur sports competition and touring within the meaning of non-profits of the Internal Revenue Code. Currently our club has over 1000+ members, with members from all of US, Canada and Germany. With the youngest member being 14 years old and the oldest member being 79 years old. freewheelers.info
For a complete list of clubs around South Carolina and how you can make South Carolina bicycle friendly, visit Palmetto Cycling Coalition's web site. www.pccsc.net!
Go Play Outdoors!
Get outside today! From scenic parks in the Blue Ridge Mountains to recreational lake and Blackwater river parks in the Midlands and white sand beaches and tidal water parks on the Atlantic Ocean, South Carolina State Parks preserve and protect some of the most beautiful natural resources and significant historic sites in America.
With more than 80,000 acres of protected lands from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the sand dunes of the Atlantic, South Carolina State Parks protect some of the most inviting natural, cultural and recreational destinations in the US.
Go wild! No matter where you roam in the Palmetto State, you'll find the best boating, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, canoeing and hiking in South Carolina at one of our State Parks. To find the perfect location for your next trip outdoors, visit South Carolina State Parks' Park Locator.
Wetland Preserve Opens at Saluda Shoals
The Saluda Shoals Wetland Preserve is open and ready for visitors at its park near Irmo. Featuring a boardwalk, elevated observation area, birding blind, outdoor classroom, picnic shelters and restroom facility, the project restored a natural wetland and created a seasonal flooded woodland. This biologically rich ecosystem covers about 10 acres of land and allows visitors to observe typical wetland plants, insets and birds. It's also a laboratory where staff will educate visitors about the importance of restoring, preserving and correctly managing natural resources. The $1 million investment received both public and private support from Saluda Shoals Foundation, Waste Management, Inc., Parks and Recreation Development Fund (SCPRT), B.P. Barber, and Wachovia Foundation.
Students at Leaphart Elementary School named the two shelters Riverbirch and Cattail, reflecting the areas in which they're located.All facilities will be ADA accessible. The Saluda Shoals Wetland Preserve is open during normal park hours, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday–Sunday. Nature Interpreters will be stationed to answer questions every weekend. The normal $5 park entrance fee applies.
Saluda Shoals is part of the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission. For more information, call 803.772.1228 or visit icrc.net.
